Adherents of Sikhism follow a number of prohibitions. As with any followers of any faith or group, adherence varies by each individual.
The Nihang or Akali, also known as Dal Khalsa, is an armed Sikh warrior order originating in the Indian subcontinent. Nihangs are believed to have originated either from Fateh Singh and the attire he wore or from the "Akal Sena" started by Guru Hargobind. Early Sikh military history was dominated by the Nihang, known for their victories where they were heavily outnumbered. Traditionally known for their bravery and ruthlessness in the battlefield, the Nihang once formed the irregular guerrilla squads of the armed forces of the Sikh Empire, the Sikh Khalsa Army.
Guru Nanak founded the Sikh religion in the Punjab region of the northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the 15th century and opposed many traditional practices like fasting, janeu, idolatry, caste system, ascetism, azan, economic materialism, and gender discrimination.
Akali Phula Singh Nihang was an Akali Nihang Sikh leader. He was a saint soldier of the Khalsa Shaheedan Misl and head of the Budha Dal in the early 19th century. He was also a senior general in the Sikh Khalsa Army and commander of the irregular Nihang of the army. He played a role in uniting Sikh misls in Amritsar. He was not afraid of the British who at many times ordered for his arrest but were not successful. During his later years he served for the Sikh Empire as a direct adviser to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He remained an army general in many famous Sikh battles up until his martyrdom in the battle of Nowshera. He was admired by the local people and had a great influence over the land and his settlement was always open to help the poor and helpless. He was well known and was a humble unique leader and prestigious warrior with high character. He was also known for his effort to maintain the values of Gurmat and the Khalsa panth.
A takht, or taḵẖat, literally means a throne or seat of authority and is a spiritual and temporal centre of Sikhism. There are five takhts, which are five gurudwaras that have a very special significance for the Sikh community. Three are located in Punjab whilst the remaining two are located outside of it.
Binod Singh, a Trehan Khatri and a descendant of Guru Angad, was an army man and disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and was among few Sikhs who accompanied him to Nanded in 1706. In Budha Dal Chronicles, Guru Gobind Singh made Baba Binod Singh the head of the Khalsa.
Baba Hanuman Singh, also known as Akali Hanuman Singh or Amar Shaheed Baba Hanuman Singh, was a Nihang Sikh and was the 7th Jathedar of Budha Dal and Jathedar of Akal Takhat. He was the successor of Akali Phula Singh. He was the first one who fought against the British. He attained martyrdom during a battle with the British and Patiala State in 1846.
Jathedar Baba Chet Singh (1914–1968) was a Nihang and was 12th Jathedar of Budha Dal after Baba Sahib Ji Kaladhari. He was born in 1914 at Talwandi. His father's name was Gurdit Singh and mother was Pradhan Kaur. He was succeeded by Jathedar Santa Singh Nihang. He died in 1968 at the age of 54. His memorial is located at Damdama Sahib. Among his famous saying was Fateh Singh Ke Jathe Singh, which he use for Nihang Army.
Gian Singh 'Rab', also known as Gian Singh 'Sutantar', was a Sikh scholar and martial artist, belonging to the Nihang order, famous for his work on Shastar Vidya.
Naina Singh, also known as Narayan Singh, was a Nihang warrior and fifth Jathedar of Budha Dal and a chief of the Shaheedan Misl during the late 18th century.
Baba Darbara Singh, also known as Diwan Darbara Singh, was second Jathedar of Budha Dal and third leader of the Akal Takht. He should not be confused with other Darbara Singh of Sirhind who fought in the Battle of Anandpur.
Sachkhoj Academy(ਸਚੁ ਖੋਜ ਅਕੈਡਮੀ) is a non profitable Sikh academical institution started by Dharam Singh(b. 1936), a Nihang Singh theologian, preacher and writer, known for his exegesis of Adi Granth and Dasam Granth. He worked as a secretary in Budha Dal, under Baba Chet Singh Nihang. The academy was started in 1996 at Khanna, where classes are delivered on the exegesis of various compositions of Adi Granth, Dasam Granth and various topics of Sikhism and other religions. Academy has uploaded enormous amount of audio and video lectures on the internet with expositions of various Compositions of Aad and Dasam granth. It provides platform for independent researchers of Gurbani to perform unbiased research, and learning to use the Adi Granth dictionary lexical resource for the exegesis.
Dharam Singh is a Nihang theologian, writer, preacher known for exegesis and expositions of Adi Granth and Dasam Granth. Enrolled as Nihang in Budha Dal, he worked as a secretary and participated in various religious conventions. He contributed the view of Sikh Religion on Human Rights in German Book, Menschenrechte im Weltkontext. In February 2015, he was the very first speaker of the dialogue series entitled Religion Matters established by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). On letter call from SGPC, he had written various articles in response to Gurbaksh Singh Kala Afghana, who spoke against Amrit and Dasam Granth.
Pashaura Singh (1928–2008) also known as Santa Singh or to Nihang Sikhs as Jathedar Akali Baba Santa Singh Ji Nihang 96 Crori was the 13th Jathedar of Budha Dal, succeeding Akali Chet Singh.
Akali Sahib Singh Kaladhari (1876-1942) was a Nihang Singh and 11th Jathedar of Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal. He was educated at Lahore according to the colonial curriculum. Soon,he became revenue collector of Patiala. When he met the Buddha Dal, he resigned and joined them. He was cleaning the iron utensils and in return for his service, he gained powers and the name ´Kaladhari"(talented). After Baba Teja Singh died, Baba Sahib Singh was given leadership of the Buddha Dal by the Khalsa. He protected the old Khalsa traditions from the SGPC, other religious missionaries and the British. He also kept up the tradition of worshiping weapons. As a result, he was sent to jail. That was when he prophesied, ` Foreigners, you can do your worst to ban our limbs,our weaponry but later on, we will establish ourselves in your country!’.
Baba Buddha was a prime figure in early Sikhism.
The Jathedar of the Akal Takht is the head of the Akal Takht and head of the Sikhs worldwide. The jathedar has the de facto power as the supreme spokesperson of the Khalsa to summon, trial and sentence any person who identifies as a Sikh from the Akal Takht.
In Sikhism, some Sikhs particularly of the Nihang community use edible cannabis in a religious context. They make use of cannabis by ingestion. It is used to make a drink called "Shaheedi Degh" which is meant to help Nihang Singhs become highly present in the moment. Nihang Singhs used marijuana in the early times of Sikh history during times of battle, it is believed to help them become more fierce warriors.
Surjit Singh (1945–2014) or Jathedar Surjeet Singh Akali was a Nihang and the 14th Jathedar of Budha Dal, after Akali Santa Singh. He was born on June 7, 1945, in Murar, Amritsar.
Joginder Singh, or Baba Joginder Singh is a Nihang Singh and is claimed to be 15th Jathedar of Budha Dal after Akali Surjit Singh. He was born in Boparai Kalan, Ludhiana.
